Peacecamp

at the peace camp we are a multi- cultural gathering of youth and adults who
come together to fired ways in, which our lives can make differences we
learn the joy and the benefit of saving each other in order to enrich our
week long peace camp commonity.
we learn to use creative nonviolent methods to achieve justlice and equlty
as an outcome of the way we live our lives.
peace camp include swimming, art, sports cooperative games.
goals of peace camp:
1) to create a cooperative community based on mutual respect
2) develop skills for conflict resolution.
3) to inspire each other to make positive changes in our world we believe
that peace camp is an important event somehow gets me to miss Austria and
the guys.
4) review the summer camp programme.
5) develop a saving programme to help scout repare for camp.
6) send out a final camp notice to perants.
7) list of what to bring camp
8) make sure that adults 16_17 years of age or older have new medical forms.
the first thing that i want you to know is that the time i had during the
peace camp is a fantastic thing i ever had i had a lot of fun i met a
wonderful people and it was just a very good experience i learned to
understand a lot of things better than i did before we had a lot of free
times saying good but was very hard and when i think about it i become sad
but also some how happy because i got to know great people and it's very
wonderful to see what strong feelings we made only after weeks of knowing
each other.
samah natour

1_ at first it was nice to meet you again I learned a lot about the bedwen tradition and now to leave in deferent culture tougher more than I saw a lot of buteful views

2_ I was very interesting from this trip because we learned about the caltur of the bedwen and specifies me I enjoyed from the new experience there wher a one body guard less in the desert because we had been robbed

3_ why the teacher of this project choose this in places specific ?

4_ I think the next pacecamp will be betterand more sucefull because the relation ship will be strong the three grops and any think will be amiss

Question Number 1
it was interesting and thrilling I wont forget the great time that I spent with the Austrian group we acquainted problem that Bedouins in Israel face, we visit a new places and we learn about the other religions and we learned about how main we have to respect the other religions.
I think that the whole trip was important for me because in everyday we learned something new from the other religion and from the things we face in the trip .
there is something amazed me so much and catch my eyes it’s the buildings of the Mosque and the church...
In my opinion it was a great trip which I cant forget all my life especially meeting the new friend that I met who I will stay in touch with…

Question Number 2+3
I was so happy in this camp I met a new friends and enjoyed being with them I spent one interesting week with all the group. it was a short camp but we all mixed with the other. everything was great but there was just something that made me unsatisfying and it was the treatment of the police man it was the discrimination between Arabs and Jewish and its appear when the police man came and sakes our Arabian teacher to show their ids cards and didn’t ask the Jewish teachers to show them to ,the police man asks so many questions and made a big story in my opinion if there was a Jewish teachers they wont do something like this.
I think the camp was short and there was no time to meet the one the other and to get more closer to the other because its not easy to meet all of the group and there wasn’t time to visit us in Qalansawa ..

Question Number 4
In my opinion everything was great and under control and my wishes and expectations for another peace camp to be the same like this one but to add some things in it for example:
1)to spend a long time in the camp, this camp was about a week so if you could make it more than a week maybe a month it would incredible and so interesting because then we might learn new things more than the things we knew in one week.
2)every little group have to bring something special from its culture to let the other to take a look at it. they might prepare an activity for the whole group.
3)to give us some free like to let them stay without there teachers for to meet the one the other because in my opinion when there are teachers pupils feel limited .


Matani Shadi
qalansawa
shadi_9 AT hotmail.co.il

When we came to Vienna Airport I was really nervous and felt
uncomfortable, because of the danger of terrorists. But during the flight
the situation became more and more comfortable and when we arrived in Tel
Aviv and when I saw all the members of the first camp, my fears were blown
away. The situation where we all came together at the airport was the
highest point of the whole week. It was a moment with an incredible
energy. I had to give all of them so much. In this essay I want to
concentrate on the people who are parts of my experiences. Every person in
the camp had again his or her own role and what was really a great thing
was that
the Arabs were more open and it was easier to talk to them. The connection
between me and the Arabs was a great experience and when we were staying
at the houses of the Arabs for one night I was totally fascinated by their
way of life.
I think they were more able to be open because we were in their territory
and they were so confirmed to show us what they are really proud of.
I also got a big view into the Islam, brecause I always had an opinion
against their religion, but how can you be against a religion which has
kept its traditions for such a long time now.



I've never seen such religious people like in Israel and it really made me
think about it.
The time we spent in Jerusalem was so fascinating because I saw so many
young people in front of the Wailing Wall, dressed in traditional clothes
and praying intensively.
This is how they are finding out about their own identities and this was
absolutely great to watch. But I could also see that especially the Jewish
people still feel hurt by the past and this made me really sad. They
seem to be very strong, but also very sad and wounded. What made me really
angry were the quarrels between the adult participants. During the week I
wasn't
sure anymore who were the main actors in the camp. What was missing was
a neutral person who could have helped especially the adults, but also us
to stay calm.
Of course it is very important to be angry and to shout and let the anger
out, but also to tolerate other opinions and to listen to them.
The teachers were all really stubborn. For another peace camp I am of the
opinion that it should take place without teachers and only with
psychologists, specialised for young people.
It really made me angry to listen to some teachers and to see that nobody
was really able to listen to somebody else.

Identity – Peaccamp – Israel – April ‏‏2005
By Nili Gross

The second project that took place in Israel, during the month of April, derived from the requests of the youth who participated in the first project in Austria, in June-July 2004. This fact has a tremendous importance for me. Usually, youth projects are being initiated and are being designed by adults for youth, but to have the demand coming from the youth themselves is a big step, to my idea.
The will of the Austrian group to come to Israel and meet the Arab and Jewish group again, to meet the people of Israel, to see the landscape of the country, and to visit the historical and religious sites in this amazing and complicated country, has been planted already in the airport, saying goodbye to beautiful Austria, in July 2004.
I have arrived to Vienna, in November 2004, to be at the premiere of the documentary film “Middle East – Trauma and Hopes of the Young”, by the director Walter Wehmer that was done on our summer project in Austria. I had the chance to meet the Austrian youth group, accompanied by their parents and teachers. I remember the students asking me if there will be another project in Israel. I remember their teachers’ reservations from the idea, telling me that Israel is a too dangerous country to bring their kids to, and I remember their parents’ enthusiasm to the idea.
I also recall my conversation with Saul Ferguson’s (one of the Austrian kids) mother. She said to me –We have started the process, and therefore we have an obligation to go on with it, even if it means sending my son to Israel.
Her words touched my heart. “Obligation” and also “responsibility” are the key words, I thought to my self, remembering the philosophical idea of Emmanuelle Levinas, the French Philosopher, about talking responsibility for the other. And with these words I arrived back in my country, knowing that I have to realize this project, no matter what.
I must admit – this was not an easy task for me. From one side – I had a huge difficulty to decide how to fill only 6 days of the project, with sites and people that will meet our goals and aims. I knew that there would be so many things left out, and there will always be someone who will complain about what I have not included and about what I have excluded. But, I thought that if the people will be able to look back on this week as a whole and say – it was worth it – the job has been done properly.
From the other hand – I had to struggle with an almost impossible budget. There was not enough money and I know I had to rely on the kindness of people to host us and help where possible. Luckily, Otman Chatib, my Israeli-Arab partner, has helped a lot in this matter. He managed to convince people to invite us for meals and to host us, and we also managed to recruit the Jewish and Arab parents to host us three nights out of seven. Not only it made the project possible money wise, but it also connected many people to our project, and unified us with the parents. The “obligation” circle has become wider.
Looking back at this week – I can fully announce, “it was worth it”. To my happiness – the reactions of the youth groups and their teachers are evidences to the success of the project. I believe we have achieved many goals and aims:
1. The Arab group, which found it more difficult to connect with the Austrian and Jewish groups in Austria, has gained a lot of confidence, and won her equaled “place” side by side with the other groups.
2. All the groups – Austrian, Arab and Jewish – has gained a lot of new knowledge about the identity dilemmas and other problems that Israel, as a state, has to deal with. This has brought us to the understanding that there are never simple solutions to the identities dilemmas and that the right way is not necessarily to solve the problems, but to learn how to manage them.
3. We have learnt how to respect the religion, culture and costumes of the others, even when it was not easy for us.
4. We became more unite and caring for each other, and we carry our responsibility towards the others with more love and respect.
5. We have managed to overcome our controversial thoughts and wills in order to initialize the third project in Austria in July 2005.
There are many more other wonderful products to this project, which I am not writing about because they are too personal or discreet, but we all carry them in our hearts.
Even though, I was not sure before head if the second project is that important – now I am fully convince that it has deepened our connections and feeling towards each other. Even though we leave apart and far from each other – I feel I have gained a new family.
I want to thank from the bottom of my heart the youth groups who did not give up on us, and insisted of having this project done, to the parents who supported us from the rear, the teachers who led this project and put all their souls and energies to make it come true, to my partner – Mrs. Evelyn Böhmer-Laufer, to Mrs. Susi Shaked, president of Hadassah Austria for her contribution, to the Austrian Embassy & the Austrian ambassador, Dr. Kurt Hengl and his wife, for hosting us in their residence, to Mr. Ben-Yaakov, the president of “The Jerusalem Fund”, for his contribution to the project, to the people of Kalanswa who helped and contributed to us in various beautiful ways, and to our guide and our devoted bus driver. You have all made this dream come true.

This years peacecamp was an even greater experience than last years. Not
only did I meat beloved friends, I also meet new friends and learned
about a fascinating culture. I was very happy to go to Israel because
besides discovering so many new and historical things like the old city of
Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Masada, I could leave a lot of prejudice
behind.



I as a member of the Austrian group don't think that anything was
missing, we saw so many things and were part of such a fabulous community
that there never was a reason to complain even when reflecting, and
besides, when one is happy one doesn't have the need to thing about much
anyway. The only thing that needs improving for the future camps is the
way the adults act because they having discussions the whole time and none
of them lead anywhere they just got everybody annoyed because nobody was
listening to the others.

The whole last year all the members of the Austrian group were talking
about flying to Israel and visiting our friends there. For a long time
our
teachers told us that it was not possible because it was too dangerous
and
that they could not cope with the risk.
We really started begging because we really wanted to see everybody
again
and finally on 31 March our dream came true!!!! At the beginning it
was kind of a strange feeling when I saw all the other members of the
first camp again and it also took me some hours to lose my shyness
again, but then it was just like the last time, just great !!
It was nice to travel through the country, visiting all the famous
places
like the Dead Sea, Jerusalem or Nazareth and it was also amazing to
see the different landscapes like the desert.



The only thing which was
really
getting on my nerves was that some of the adults were quarrelling on the
bus all the
time, I can't exactly say why, but actually I don't want to know it
either.
However, the best thing for me was that we slept at the houses of Arab
families. This time we really got closer to the Arabs and that was
really
nice. The day, or let's say the night at Qualansua was probably the best
one
of the whole week and I really learned a lot about the Arab culture.
Also to stay at Bedouin villages was very interesting and of course
talking with all the members was wonderful!!!
This time it seemed to me like the teenagers had no problems with each
other anymore, there was kind of an harmony, somehow probably because
we didn't talk about the conflict like we did at the camp in Austria,
but
just the
adults couldn't stand it!! They always had to "fight" and I think if
you want to do a project for teenagers, to teach them to make peace
and not to fight, you first should be able to control your own
feelings and to
make
peace yourself.
However, all in all I think that also this camp was really wonderful
and probably the week in Israel was one of the best in my life.

hello evelyn,and hello evryone,
i hope u all feel well and enjoy your life.
answer1:- in the peace camp which was coducted in israel u
have learned basicly about religions and specialy about my
relegion which unfourtanately doesnt alow none muslims to
enter the mosque.this may lead the people to rejed the islam
which is a tolerant one.for example hat if a none muslim
person was entering into the mosque to learn it much better.
answer 2;- in my opinion , everything was all right. but
just like always the problem is money and more money. if we
had more money we could stay longer and visit many places
like ilat , haifa and golan to see the point which the 3
boundaries of the countries of syria and jordan and israel
meet.
answer 3 - everything eas clear except 3 problems or
questions
1- what will happen for a muslim if he wears a kippa for 5
minutes when he visits the kenneset.
2-what will happen if the security man let 'hosnia' to cross
just like all the jews and they even explained to him that
there is nothing to afraid of specially when she cross the
bomb finder.
3- is god really mad on muslim just like me who was really
tired and sat on the floor in the church



answer 4 - i hope from all who participated in this project
who were useful and go through so many adventures and learn
about our cultures , for the next camp i hope that will be
other finantial resources and more time for doing more things

yours,
otman
teacher, coordinatior oif the aArab group

1. Describe the Peacecamp which took place in Israel from March 31st to April 7th.
What were its main parts? Describe what you have seen, experienced and learned.



First I would like to thank everybody who made that camp possible. This camp was the second part of one of the greatest camps I have ever been, it was an amazing camp. All the kids enjoyed it very much and had a lot of fun. This time the camp was in Israel, a totally new experience for the Austrian children. We’ve seen many different ways to live and different places where people live.

2. Describe your personal feelings and thoughts related to this camp. What did you receive from this camp? What was missing or unsatisfying?

I found it very exiting to go to the different Bedouin villages, it was really touching to see how families live in a world were nearly everybody got a house or a flat, and so many electronic things and they are happy with this little what they’ve got.
But I also found that we have seen a lot of Arabic and Christian places, but we haven’t been in ONE synagogue… I heard from parents who thought that the camp will be too Zionistic, but I think it was really the opposite…

3. What was left open and unresolved and with what open questions do you find yourself now, after the second Peacecamp?

I really don’t have any open questions. I just hope that everybody enjoyed the camp.

4. What would be your wishes, expectations and suggestions for another Peacecamp?

I think this camp was a great experience for all the participants.
I really wish that everybody enjoyed that camp, and that we’ll all stay in contact. I know it isn’t that easy to stay in contact if one person is in Israel and one other in Austria… but I really think that nobody will ever forget these two camps!! I really would like to have a third camp with those kids…

1. For me the Peace Camp in Israel had the sense to make friends with all
the people who took part. It was a wonderful time and we also saw a lot of
the country and also got to know a lot of its history. I think that its
main parts were
the history, the religions and discrimination against the Arabs. I have
learned
that it doesn`t matter to which ethnic group or religious group you belong;
everybody is a human being and should have the same rights.
2. I think that the only thing which was unsatisfying was the discussion.
3. My predominant feeling was that I was glad to take part.
4. My expectations for another Peace Camp would be that there should be
some
discussions, but without adults who are talking the whole time so that the
students aren`t able to speak. So what I want to say is that the
students should do the discussions and not the adults.